6
Inventory of Innovative Indoor Smoke
Alleviating Technologies in Nepal
Chapter Three
COOKING STOVES
In Nepal, large segment of population still depend on
simple and primitive energy resources in HHs and rural
industries. The use of biomass energy in HHs and small
industries have resulted in IAP induced diseases and
polluted the atmosphere. For example, comparative
monitoring study conducted by Nepal Environmental and
Scientific Services (NESS) in 2001 in city core, sub-core,
remote and industrial areas of Kathmandu for firewood,
LPG and kerosene fuel, found that wood burning HHs
had 6.0 and 2.4 times greater levels of PM10
concentration than LPG and kerosene burning houses
respectively (MOPE 2001).
ICS was first introduced as Hyderabad smokeless
stove in a Bikas Pradarshani (exhibition) in 1956 held
at Bharatpur, Chitwan. A multi-pot stove developed
in India was of high mass, shielded fire and had a
chimney to let smoke out from the kitchen. The stove
also had adjustable metal dampers to regulate the
fire. Further dissemination of ICS only started in early
70s, when main emphasis was on improving fuel
efficiency to prevent deforestation. During the time,
Women’s Training Centre (WTC) promoted Lorena
stove, a large mud stove with a number of rings.
WTC provided Lorena stove construction training to
women. In late 70s, RECAST was involved in improving
these stoves and renamed them as Nepali chulo.
Traditional HH stoves
Three-stone cook stove
Chulo
Agena (tripod)